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Car magnets, when designed and produced right, can be an amazing advertising tool for your business. Creating the perfect magnetic signs may seem like a daunting task, but here are some helpful tips to make the job easier for you and your business:

1) Keep it simple. A lot of businesses make the mistake of cramming as much info about their company as possible on their car magnets. This actually makes your car magnet more difficult to read and therefore potential customers are less likely to read it. The best way to get your information across on a car magnet is to keep it simple. Your company’s name, phone number, website and one or two services provided is all you need. Most potential customers will Google your company later to find out more about your business anyway.

2) Use full color graphics. With car magnets, your target audience has approximately four seconds to see and read your sign, if you’re lucky. Full color graphics help your car magnet stand out and catch the eye of those nearby, and will get the message across to potential customers more effectively. For example, a beautiful full color image of cupcakes and other baked goods will quickly tell potential customers you own a bakery and is much better than listing them out.

3) File Size Matters! The logo or image that looked so great on your business card might not be large enough in size or high enough quality to look as good when it’s blown up to fit on a car magnet. Unless you have a high resolution photo or your logo/image in vector format, your file will look pixilated or distorted when enlarged. Save yourself some time and money by looking at the image on your computer zoomed in 200%-800%. If it doesn’t look so good, then it probably not won’t when it’s blown up to be printed as a magnetic sign either.

4) Measure! Measure! Measure! Car magnets come in a couple standard sizes. You may want your message as large as possible but the large magnet might be way too large for your car. Before you go online and order car magnets that won’t fit, take the time to measure your vehicle!

You must also keep in mind that the car magnets go on the parts of your car that are flat and won’t go over bevels or molding. If your car is made of fiberglass you won’t have be able to use magnetic car signs. Vinyl decals or lettering will work on fiberglass.

Let the professionals at Signs & More help you design and create your car magnets today! For more info visit our website at www.signsandmoremi.com.

Your signage is your first impression to potential customers. Getting your signage wrong or neglecting it can really hurt your business. The tips below will help you prevent the most common signage mistakes.

Does your sign represent your brand?

You will never get a second chance to make a first impression. Is your signage making an impression that’s worth remembering? Your business storefront is what the majority of potential new customers will base their first impressions on. Needless to say, this is not an area you want to cut corners on!

To determine if your sign optimally represents your brand, you must first ask yourself a few basic questions. Is the design and text on your current signage consistent with your brand image? To put this simply, your signage should have virtually the same look as your website, business cards and other marketing materials – same colors, fonts, and design elements. This will create brand recognition, meaning that your customers/potential customers will see your sign and instantly know it’s your company.

You also need to ensure that your sign is highly visible, easy to read, and in good condition. A sign in bad condition will make potential customers think that you do not care about your business or that you aren’t doing well enough to fix or replace the sign.

Confusing Message

The internet is bursting with examples of hilarious typos on signs that are photographed and uploaded for everyone to have a good laugh at. While these posts are pretty hilarious, the joke will only be on you if it happens to your sign. Any spelling and grammatical errors that slip by you or the printer at the proofing stage will ultimately reflect really poorly on your business– so make sure you triple check your sign for typos.

Pixelated graphic

If you are incorporating an image into your signage, remember to use the right imagery and make sure it’s high enough in resolution so the image doesn’t appear pixelated or blurry. The lettering on your sign should be in proportion with the overall size of the sign and should be colors that contrast with your background color enough to be easily seen by someone driving by.

Low contrast vs High Contrast

Burnt Out?

When used properly, neon signs and illuminated messages can be a very powerful marketing tool help your business to draw in new customers. Use them incorrectly or neglect needed maintenance to your neon or LED sign and it has just the exact opposite effect. A broken or flickering neon sign on display in your business is a message to customers that you don’t care much for looking after them either. Certain letters burning out may produce a message you don’t want to relay to your customers…

Imagine yourself as a new customer, walk past your business and stand back from a distance to see how others see you. Any broken signage make customers think that your business is tired and burnt out, have your signage repaired before that bad impression has the chance to become a reality.

Need help revamping your sign? Call the professionals at Signs & More today.

LED and neon signs are used everywhere. Making the choice as to which one use for your outdoor signage is tough. What is the difference between the two? Which one will last longer? Is one cheaper? Which one will work better for my business?

Signage is a major part of your advertising budget. Let’s break down the pros and cons of LED signs versus neon signs:

Business signage is an important part of your advertising budget and you want to make the right decision. So let’s compare the pros and cons of LED signs versus neon signs. Here is a list of the most important differences:

Price. LED signs are approximately 10% less expensive than comparable neon signs. But, the initial price difference between LED and neon is not a significant factor in determining which sign you need for your business. But, once you compare the total cost of purchase, maintenance, and operation of LED signs versus neon signs the difference then becomes sizable.

Space usage. LED signs are significantly thinner than neon signs, approximately 25-33% thinner. Because neon is bulkier than LED lights, neon signs tend to wider and taller than their LED counterparts. This usually isn’t an issue for most business owners hanging signs in their windows or walls. The biggest difference between LED and neon signs is in depth. An LED sign is only 1 inch thick. A neon sign will be approximately 3-5 inches deep because the glass tubing needs to extend away from its backing.

Shipping and installation. LED signs cost significantly less to to ship and install compared to neon signs because they are so much thinner and lighter. They also come complete with hanging hardware—it’s as easy as hanging a picture.

Brightness. LED signs are very bright yet clear and easy to read from a distance. On the other hand, neon signs tend to look a bit blurry from far away. LED signs are also easy to see in direct sunlight, while it can be hard to tell if a neon sign is on or not in the daylight.

Green factor. LED signs and lighting use very little power, making them much more ecofriendly compared to neon signs. LED signs use only 10 watts of power—that’s 6-10 times less than neon signs. Because they use such little power, LED signs stay cool and are safe to touch. Low-power usage also means you’ll save a lot of money on your electric bill. Over time, neon signs can slowly leak toxic gases like argon and mercury out. This why you sometimes see neon signs flickering or with letters burnt out. LED sign technology does not use these toxic gases and is therefore much safer to use.

Maintenance. LED signs are virtually maintenance free. There are no gases, no glass tubes, no argon or mercury problems and LED lights never run out. They lights don’t have as many issues or problems because they are simply little lights. Neon signs eventually lose all of the neon inside the glass tubes which means you have to replace the gas or buy a new sign. With neon signs, the tubes must be cleaned off, while LED signs are much easier to clean than neon signs. LED signs last up to 100,000 hours, even if left on 24/7.

Animation: Because LED signs are made of many separate lights, they offer many more animation options than their neon sign counterparts.

In the LED vs. neon sign comparison, LED signs are the clear winner. They are fantastic, budget-friendly way to attract customers.

Leverage the Power of 3-D Marketing

Whether you call them carved signs, dimensional signs or wooden signs; 3D signs are ideal for a wide variety of businesses. Whether you are looking to project a rustic image for your business, or wanting to find something that works within your town’s strict signage laws, dimensional signs create beautiful and professional brand that fits into any budget. Here are some great options when it comes to carved signs.

Carved signs are generally made using two methods: Sandblasting and routing. Both methods achieve the same look and cost the same. So what is the difference between them?

With sandblasted signs, the text and graphics are raised. They are created using a thick sheet of wood or other sign material such as extira or high density urethane. The sign is then covered using a custom rubber sandblast stencil, then embossed up when the stencil is removed. The finished product is then painted.

In a routed sign, the text and graphics are engraved. They start out the same as a sandblasted sign, with a thick piece of wooden or manufactured material. The design is then programmed into a computer and the graphics and lettering are carved into the sign by a CNC router.

As already mentioned, there are a variety of options for materials to create carved signs. This article will discuss two wooden options and two man made options.

Redwood Signs: Redwood is a rich red colored soft wood. Redwood has the advantage of being both naturally beautiful and durable. Redwood signs are less likely to split and warp than signs made of other woods. Where could you use a redwood sign? A craft boutique, a local restaurant, or a town park.

Cedar Signs: Cedar is a soft, light colored wood. Cedar signs last for a very long time and are naturally resistant to rotting. These signs are most beautiful when they highlight the natural color and texture of the wood. Where could you use a cedar sign? A resort or a campground are some examples.

High Density Urethane Signs: HDU signs, also known as signfoam, are a great way to achieve the texture and look of a wooden sign using synthetic materials. HDU won’t rot, warp, or split as it ages. This will keep your sign looking good for a long time. Where would you use HDU sign? A law firm, a golf course or a marina.

Extira Signs: These signs are made of a composite wood material. Extira signs are synthetic, waterproof, and resistant to rotting. They are specifically created for outdoor use, meaning that they will last last through all sorts of weather year in and year out. Where could you use an Extira sign? A retail outlet, a design agency or perhaps a government building.

The single best advertising investment is right in front of you. Well, actually it’s just above your head…It’s the signs in your office.

Office signs can provide a great return on investment because you only have to pay for them once and they provide powerful on-premise marketing. If you use the following ten tips, you are sure to create effective office signs for your business.

1. Location, location, location! Before you buy, lease, or renew, evaluate how and where signs can work for your business. Avoid locations where adequate signage is not available due to landlord or zoning restrictions.

2. Identify all sign location options. Think about all the possibilities for signage, there are usually several, whether mounted or freestanding. Can vehicle or pedestrian traffic see your location from more than one direction or entrance? If not, they may have a hard time finding your business!

3. Walk and drive the property. Walk and drive up and down the street a few times, from all directions, both during the day and at night looking carefully at your present or prospective sign locations. This will give you a better perspective of how passersby will be viewing your potential signage. Taking reference photos may also be helpful.

4. Plan for visibility and legibility. Your message needs to stand out among other signs and other surroundings. Consider sign size and shape, letter height, font choice, lighting and placement carefully to make it easy for passersby to see and ready quickly during the day and at night.

5. Make a good first impression! First impressions are important, especially in business. If all your public knows about you is based on seeing your sign as they drive by they will judge your business on your sign’s quality. Esthetics, color choice and appropriate use of white space will help your sign to look professional. Avoid putting too much information on your sign as it will be cluttered, more difficult to read and will scream unprofessional.

6. Choose a benefit-driven message. This may come as a challenge, but the right message is where your sign makes money for the practice. Choose a message that shows your customers how your services benefit them. For example, if you prices always beat your competitor’s, then your sign’s message should state that.

7. Keep it short and simple. A lengthy message cannot be read by someone walking or driving by your business. Keep it to 1-3 words and answer this question: What do you do that delivers value and happiness to your customers? If you do many things, say what’s of interest to the majority of people, let them know what else you offer when they come in.

8. Use an experienced sign shop with fair pricing. Make sure your sign shop has experience, good references and knows about compliance with regulations, building codes and will deliver and install the signage on time.

9. Consider a temporary banner. Your new sign may take several weeks to be ready from conception to completion. A temporary banner can attract attention and new customers if your office or business is open before your permanent sign is ready.

10. Explore secondary sign opportunities. Can you provide “way finding” signs approaching the building or in the lobby, hallway, or elevator of your business?

Office signs can be a big investment, but they will pay for themselves in the long run.

Making a great first impression is the key to effective advertising. Vehicle wraps for sales, service, and/or delivery vehicles are a great way to spread your business’s message and are a powerful branding and marketing tool.

Attention Grabbing

Brightly colored, well designed vehicle wraps make your company vehicles stand out among all the other cars on the road. Passing drivers won’t pay much attention to a plain white van on the road, but a colorful vehicle wrap will naturally grab their attention.

Reach a Wider Audience

Vehicle wraps reach more customers than any other form of advertising. Many businesses gain more customers from vehicle wraps than their websites. Your reach depends upon how many company vehicles you have on the road, what areas you drive in, and how many miles you drive–you can reach ten thousand to a hundred thousand customers a month!

Non-Aggressive Advertising

Unlike radio or print ads that interrupt a person’s entertainment, vehicle wraps attract attention without disturbance. People can easily spot your message without major distraction from what they’re doing. Customers generally respond better to advertising that doesn’t take an “in-your-face” approach. Most people enjoy striking vehicle wraps as something to look at on their daily commute.

Mobile Exposure

Instead of waiting for your potential customers to turn on the TV and watch your commercial or run across your newspaper ad, vehicle wraps travel into the view of your potential customers. They allow you to get your business in front of potential customers while they are out doing their errands or commuting to and from work. Lead possibilities from this type of unobtrusive mobile exposure are virtually endless.

Cost Effective

Unlike billboards and advertisements that have consistent reoccurring costs, vehicle wraps do not. An initial investment in a vehicle wrap is a fraction of the cost of other long-term advertising campaigns and generates results for years. You can also change your vehicle wrap as little or as often as you like, and for less money.

Local Advertising

Vehicle wrap advertising is targeted because you are advertising to your local market. The people who will see your vehicle wrap the most are the people in your area. Local marketing produces optimal results since people like to deal with business close to where they live or work.

Protection

Vinyl vehicle wraps help protect your vehicle’s body from scratches and small dents from road debris. Vinyl vehicle wraps can be easily removed without damaging the vehicle’s paint. Vinyl vehicle wraps help keep your company vehicles in better condition for when you need to trade them in or sell them.

Aside from being an additional advertising expense, there are virtually no downsides to using a vehicle wrap for advertising. Most business owners feel that they more than make up for the expense of having vehicle wraps from the increased exposure their business receives.

If you want to stand out from your competition, a vehicle wrap is a wise investment. Contact Signs & More today to request a quote!

If our fast paced world, most people are in a rush. They simply don’t have the time to read a wordy banner. Knowing the right way to appeal to your customers and keeping your message simple will help make your banner an effective marketing tool for your business.

For example…

Let’s say that there are two convenience stores across the street from each other at a major intersection. Each store places a banner out front to attract new customers. Which banner do you think is more effective?

First store is Sal’s Convenience Mart. Sal’s banner says:

“Sal’s Convenience Mart

Gas / Drinks / Coffee / Snacks/

We Strive for Customer Satisfaction!”

The main point Sal wants to communicate is his service, which is why the banner includes the line “We Strive for Customer Satisfaction”. Unfortunately, the main point is at the bottom of the banner…making it hard to get the entire message across to someone driving by…unless they were stopped at a traffic light. And if they were stopped at the light, it is still unlikely they would read to the bottom of the banner for two reasons. 1) their primary focus is on the light turning green, so the banner is quickly scanned to see if it strikes an interest. and 2) after they read the first line “Sal’s Convenience Store”, they know what the business is and may not read any further.

The second store is Dolly’s Convenience Store. Her banner says

“20 oz Mt. Dew : 2 for $1.”

Dolly’s banner has 4 words and 3 numbers, which is easy for the brain to scan at a quick glance. The banner is read in less than a second and has a compelling message for the customer. People who drink Mountain Dew would consider this a very good deal, and be more likely to pick Dolly’s Convenience Store over Sal’s. Customers who drink other Coke products or other drinks will know that Dolly’s carries those as well, because that is what convenience stores do. And just by looking at the store and seeing the gas pumps out front, they know Dolly’s sells gas also. So, Dolly’s banner says everything Sal’s banner says in fewer words and is much easier to read!

Using banners to attract customers

This theory can be used for any type of business banner. Let’s take restaurants for example. If two restaurants were on the same road less than a mile apart, they would be competing for the same customers.

Locos Tacos Restaurant has a banner with its name (even though their name is on the main restaurant sign) followed by a lengthy description of one of their dishes. “Try our new fish tacos! Loaded with peppers and onions and topped with our zesty baja sauce it will make your taste buds dance!” Next to it is a picture of the dish.

The purpose of Locos Taco’s banner is to make passersby hungry for it and stop in. But their banner doesn’t make people hungry for the dish– it just make them hungry for Mexican food.

Azteca Restaurante, down the road past Locos Taco’s has a banner up too. Their banner simply says: “Lunch specials starting at $4.25.”

Which restaurant do you think people will go to? They are already in the mood for Mexican food because of the other banner, but Azteca has lunch specials for $4.25! So in the mind of the customer, they have the picture from the first banner and the price from the second banner. The second banner is most effective because it brought in more new customers and cost half of what is cost to make the first banner.

(Without looking, what did banner 1 say? Did you have to think about it? What about banner 2? Go back and look at it to see how close you were on the two banners.)

Simple banners are just plain better. They get the customer’s attention, are easier to read, get the point across fast, and in most cases, they cost less. When it comes to creating an effective banner, just remember to go against everything that was taught in school, and DON’T use your imagination! Keep it simple!

If you need help or advise in designing a banner for your retail location, let the experts at Signs & More help. Contact us today for a quote or just to talk.

Lighting is vital when it comes to signage. Proper lighting allows your sign to be both visible and readable during the day and at night, rain or shine. An illuminated sign is also much quicker and easier for passersby to read. A properly lit sign serves as a 24/7 advertisement for your business and is a constant reminder to passersby. This will build memory of your business and generate new customers.

Signage is generally illuminated using one or a combination of three methods – by mounting outdoor lamps that shine on the sign’s face; by inside lighting that shines onto the sign’s face; or by using exposed bulbs, LEDs, neon-style tubing and other illuminated elements. Rapidly developing technology has made the possibilities infinite, economical and energy efficient.

Color is also an important thing to think about when considering your sign’s illumination options. The lighting you choose will have an effect on the appearance of the sign. Some lighting options may be a better fit for your business than others, especially if you want your sign’s colors to match your print advertising exactly. If accurate color matching is important, you should choose a lighting source with a high color rendering index (CRI) rating.

The ideal illumination for a sign should be bright enough to compete with surrounding signs without being offensive. Many cities have rules and regulations on brightness, so make sure to find out what rules your city has to ensure your sign lighting is within regulation.

Signage is all around us – so much that most of the time we go about our daily lives without giving it a second thought. It directs us, reminds us and sometimes even inspires us to make decisions each and every day.

For small businesses, signage is a excellent way to establish an identity and gain new customers. Though there are many more benefits to signage, here are a few we found interesting: